Darren and Carter were waiting for her downstairs, and the driver stood in the doorway. He took her bag, and they followed him out to the car. After stowing her case in the trunk, the chauffeur held open the door for them.
To Scarlett’s surprise, they did not drive into San Francisco to make their flight. The driver stopped the town car at a private airfield a few miles from Carter’s home, and they boarded a personal jet. The interior was plush cream leather, and carpeted in thick white carpeting. A flight attendant was on duty, and he brought them all drinks.
Silence filled the cabin, and Scarlett grew uncomfortable. Carter, dressed casually in khakis and a white button up, looked busy. It was the first time he hadn’t worn a suit around her. Was he becoming more comfortable with her since showing his scars? She wasn’t sure. He was busy poring over a thick file of papers, and Darren was behind a thick book. Scarlett wished she’d thought to bring a book or her ebook reader, but finally settled for watching a movie on the small television bolted in front of her. She chose a DVD from the basket brought to her by the attendant and dozed off as the heroine was realizing just how tough it was to make it as an actor in Hollywood.
9
Carter
Carter sat across from Scarlett, beside Darren, and she drew his gaze to her silky hair, secured in a braid that hung over her shoulder. Her unusual purple eyes were obscured by lids naked of any make-up, and her lips bowed in an O. The gentle rise and fall of her breasts as she exhaled mesmerized him.
She was so vulnerable. Scarlett appeared to be sweet and innocent, and for a brief time, Carter could believe she was. How could her father’s corruptness have touched her in twenty short years? She seemed too pure to be his daughter, too unaffected by wealth and social position to be guilty of the crimes of which he’d accused her.
His eyes moved back to her face and settled on the mark on her cheek, left by Rocco Terini. It was an angry pink shade, with tints of brown and purple showing through. Rage sat like a hot ball in his stomach as he looked at the bruise, and Carter’s determination to destroy Rocco grew even more.
The jet was designed for long trips, so they did not touch down to refuel anywhere between San Francisco and New York. They left the plane at another private airstrip and took a taxi to their hotel. Darren had booked Scarlett into a suite on the floor with Carter’s. Carter knew Darren was trying to push them together, but he wouldn’t have it. Regardless of taking Scarlett to meet his mother, this was still a business arrangement. No matter how beautiful and innocent she could be.
Scarlett
Not wanting to spend the night in her room on her first visit to New York, Scarlett changed into a black crop top and a high waisted skirt and set out to explore the nightlife. She didn’t have much money left, so she would be conservative of where she went, choosing to walk instead of hailing cabs. Her ankle would protest at the exercise, but she’d worn flat shoes to be on the safe side.
Just as she was passing Carter’s door, he opened it, revealing himself still dressed casually.
“Going somewhere?”
“Is that not allowed?”
“Scarlett, as I have assured you many times, you are not my prisoner.”
“Then stop treating me like one. I’m just going out for a bit.”
“And your ankle?”
So he was pretending to be concerned. That was crap. “It’s fine,” she lied.
“Then enjoy your evening. We’ll be shopping in the morning, I would appreciate if you weren’t totally spent.”
“Aka hungover. You’re telling me to not get wasted at some bar tonight.”
He didn’t respond.
“I’m a lady, a classy one at that. And I’m smart.”
“I never indicated you weren’t.”
She rolled her eyes, “Goodnight Carter.”
He stood in the door and smiled, it made her even crazier. “Good night.”
Scarlett stopped at a coffee shop for mocha just outside the hotel and watched the other customers come in and out. She wondered what it would be like to live in New York City, amidst the hustle and bustle of the daily grind. Though she’d lived near San Francisco all her life, she had grown up at Terini Manor, and was suddenly feeling very sheltered.
After all, how many other girls would have allowed themselves to be used as collateral in a business deal? Most daughters would have told their fathers to go to hell, but she’d been responsible, as usual. Look where it had gotten her. Practically a prisoner of a man who hated her and her entire family. A man who would never believe she could love him...
Scarlett’s eyes widened at that intrusive thought. She didn’t love Carter, and she wasn’t falling in love with him either. He couldn’t even tolerate her presence. When she was near him, he was rude and abrasive, accusing her of being manipulative and greedy at every turn. No, she simply could not be falling for that man, she assured herself.
It was late the next afternoon when the plane landed on Carter’s private island, Thakilopos. The temperature was peaking in the upper-eighties, and Scarlett wished she’d worn something cooler. Feeling absurdly nervous about meeting Carter’s family, she’d chosen to dress conservatively in khaki slacks and a prim white blouse with frilly cuffs. Now she longed to strip off the clothes and put on the new swimsuit she’d purchased in New York.
A silver Cadillac waited for them, and Darren rode in the front with the driver, while Scarlett and Carter shared the back seat. She stuck her head out the window and took a deep breath. The humidity was high, and the air felt heavy and moist, making beads of sweat appear on her brow almost instantly.